GED (General Educational Development) Test Preparation and Test-Taking Strategy Syllabus

Test Preparation and Test-Taking Strategy syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Test Preparation and Test-Taking Strategy in GED (General Educational Development), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Understanding the GED Test

   4 topics

   • The Four Subject Tests and Scoring
     • Passing, College Ready, and College Ready + Credit levels
     • Scaled scores and the 145 passing threshold
   • Question Formats
     • Multiple choice, drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank
     • Hot spot, drop-down, and short answer
   • Computer-Based Testing Interface and Tools
   • Registration, Testing Centers, and Online Proctoring
2. 2

   General Test-Taking Skills

   4 topics

   • Time Management Across Sections
   • Process of Elimination and Educated Guessing
   • Reading Questions and Stimuli Carefully
   • Managing Test Anxiety and Stamina
3. 3

   Study Planning and Readiness

   4 topics

   • Using the GED Ready Practice Test
   • Diagnosing Strengths and Weaknesses
   • Building a Study Schedule
   • Reviewing and Retaking Sections

Test Preparation and Test-Taking Strategy flashcards for GED (General Educational Development)

21 of 51 cards from the Test Preparation and Test-Taking Strategy deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What are the four subject tests that make up the GED?

   Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA), Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies.

2. On what numerical scale is each GED subject test scored?

   Each test is scored on a scale from 100 to 200 points.

3. What is the minimum score needed to pass each GED subject test?

   A score of 145 on each subject test (the GED Passing Score / High School Equivalency level).

4. What are the four GED score performance levels?

   Below Passing (100-144), GED Passing Score/High School Equivalency (145-164), GED College Ready (165-174), and GED College Ready + College Credit (175-200).

5. What does a GED 'College Ready' score (165-174) indicate?

   It signals readiness to start college-level courses, potentially exempting the student from placement testing or remedial courses.

6. What does the GED 'College Ready + Credit' score range (175-200) represent?

   The highest level, indicating knowledge that may earn the student up to 10 college credit hours, depending on the institution.

7. How long is the GED Mathematical Reasoning test, and is it timed in one block?

   It lasts about 115 minutes and is split into two parts: Part 1 (no calculator, ~5 questions) and Part 2 (calculator allowed).

8. Which GED math section does NOT allow a calculator?

   Part 1 of the Mathematical Reasoning test (the first ~5 questions); the calculator is permitted for Part 2.

9. What on-screen calculator is provided for the GED?

   The TI-30XS MultiView scientific calculator (an on-screen version).

10. What unique component does the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) test include?

    The Extended Response, an essay where the student analyzes arguments in source passages and writes an evidence-based response (about 45 minutes).

11. Roughly how long is the GED RLA test in total?

    About 150 minutes, including a 10-minute break, covering reading comprehension, language/editing, and the Extended Response essay.

12. How long are the GED Science and Social Studies tests each?

    Science is about 90 minutes and Social Studies is about 70 minutes.

13. What question formats appear on the GED beyond standard multiple choice?

    Multiple choice, drag-and-drop, drop-down (fill-in-the-blank menus), hot spot, fill-in-the-blank, and short/extended written response.

14. What is a 'hot spot' question on the GED?

    A question where you click a specific point or area on an image, graph, or map to indicate your answer.

15. What is a 'drag-and-drop' GED question?

    A question where you move on-screen objects (words, numbers, images) into target zones to build or order an answer.

16. What is a 'drop-down' question format on the GED?

    A sentence or statement with embedded menus from which you select the option that correctly completes it.

17. How is the GED delivered?

    It is computer-based, taken either at an official Pearson VUE testing center or online via the GED Online Proctored option.

18. Name on-screen tools available during the GED test.

    The on-screen TI-30XS calculator, a calculator reference sheet, a math formula sheet, the flag-for-review tool, highlighter, and an answer-eliminator/strikethrough tool.

19. What does the 'flag for review' tool do on the GED?

    It marks a question so you can return to it later; flagged items appear in the review screen at the end of the section.

20. What is the purpose of the on-screen answer-eliminator (strikethrough) tool?

    It lets you cross out answer choices you have ruled out, supporting process of elimination without losing track.

21. What reference materials are provided on screen during the math test?

    A math formula sheet and a calculator reference sheet, so most formulas do not need to be memorized.

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